Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him." (Heb. 12:5.)

Sweet lessons learned in sorrow,
Our God, we dearly prize.
We would not from Thy discipline,
Our Father, hide our eyes.
E'en though the school be strict and stern,
We would the needed lesson learn.

We 're evil, weak, and foolish,
And know not how to choose.
Our God, Thou couldst not trust us-
Thy trust we would abuse.
Denial, though it break the heart,
Is e'er the faithful Father's part.

We change, and are forgetful :
Our God, Thou canst not change.
Our wanderings, our waywardness,
Thy love can ne'er estrange.
For Thine unfailing faithfulness,
Thee we learn, our God, to bless.

Grapes will yield their precious juices
When crushed beneath the press :
The sweetest songs we sing, Lord,
Are born of deep distress.
One sorrow less I would not have
Than Thou hast sent me in Thy love.

Oh discipline most holy,
That works His precious will! "
Despise not thou His chastening,
Nor faint," but rest thee still. "
He spoils the child who spares the rod."
Our Father is th' eternal God.

H. McD.

March 14th, 1891